I would have gladly given this hotel five stars if it weren’t for two disappointing incidents, the first of which was particularly disturbing.
I arrived around 11 a.m., hoping to leave my belongings until check-in. A woman who appeared to be part of the cleaning staff welcomed me and informed me that my room was ready. After confirming my reservation on my phone, she requested payment in cash.
As I emptied my pockets onto a table to gather the money, I explained that I needed 50 pesos in change. She promised to return it at 2 p.m.
While putting everything back into my pockets, I realized my phone was missing. I immediately told her, but she insisted it must be among my belongings. I emptied my pockets again, and nothing. Since we were the only two people present, I asked her to empty hers.
To my astonishment, she pulled two phones out of the same pocket without showing the slightest surprise. Fortunately, one screen lit up, and I immediately recognized my wallpaper photograph. Only after I pointed out that it was my phone did she apologize.
I chose to treat it as an innocent mistake, but several things bothered me. She had no belongings on the table that could explain accidentally picking up my phone. More importantly, wouldn’t someone be surprised to discover an unfamiliar second phone in their pocket? Why didn’t she immediately acknowledge it or offer it back?
I cannot accuse her of intentionally taking my phone, but I also cannot dismiss the circumstances.